Customized Pathways

It is sometimes said that “experience is the best teacher,” and we all know people tend to learn best by doing and seeing things first. This is why it is important we expand experiential learning opportunities.

We have a wonderful diversity of learning opportunities for students in Jeffco. Our community is made up of successful small businesses and entrepreneurs, professional office executives, as well as major manufacturing, scientific, and technical jobs. All of these present opportunities for students to engage and gain hands-on experience that offers a glimpse into potential future professions. We must expand apprenticeship, internship, and other experiential education opportunities in partnership with businesses and our community. We will expand opportunities and develop even stronger partnerships with community colleges and other institutions of higher education, where our students can earn early college credit and be more prepared for post-secondary education.

Being ready for college and a career are not mutually exclusive, and the global workforce requires people who are both highly trained and can also quickly adapt to changing conditions. For the jobs and challenges our students will face as adults, we need prepared learners who move freely back and forth across academically-focused careers and career/technical pathways.

All of this speaks to elevating the individual student’s passion, aspirations, and goals. So the question for our schools is "How can we create customized pathways and place them in front of our students, leading them to the fulfilling and successful life they deserve?"

Theory of Action

IF school and district leaders expand postsecondary workforce readiness learning opportunities in partnership with our community, businesses, and institutions of higher learning,
THEN participating students will be prepared for post-secondary training/learning and a career and will be actively participating within the greater Jeffco community.

SMART Goal

Starting with the 2019/20 school year, we will increase the number of students participating in work-based learning opportunities in our middle schools by 10% of our current numbers.

Starting with the 2019/20 school year, we will increase the number of students participating in internship and apprenticeship opportunities by 10% of our current numbers.

Starting with the 2019/20 school year, we will increase the number of students participating in college level coursework through AP, IB, Concurrent Enrollment/Dual enrollment by 5% of our current numbers.